Padres crush Chicago Cubs 13-3 in series finale

The San Diego Padres made sure to create some distance again versus the Cubs, as the first nine hitters came around to score in the sixth inning to hand the Chicago Cubs a 13-3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday night.

Edwin Jackson (5-11, 5.68) took the loss for the Cubs (41-58), but he was not the only one to blame on the pitching staff for the rough night. Brian Schlitter failed to record an out while allowing six runs, five of them earned in the nine-run sixth.

The Padres (44-56) got a good start from Tyson Ross (9-10, 2.65), who allowed only one run over six inning while striking out 11 Cubs.

entering the sixth, the Cubs trailed by only two, 3-1. Jackson walked the lead-off hitter, the allowed a single to Will Venable before leaving the game due to cramping in his pitching hand. Schlitter entered and allowed a single to the first hitter he fave, Jake Goebbert, which loaded the bases. The merry-go-round would go from there as a throwing error at the plate by Luis Valbuena allowed the first run to score.

Rene Rivera the doubled home two the increase the lead to 6-1. Schlitter then hit the pitcher Ross while he was trying to sacrifice bunt,  which again loaded the bases. A two-run single by Alexi Amarista, followed by a walk to Yangervis Solarte would end the night for Schlitter.

Reliever Wesley Wright would allow four more singles, accounting for three runs, two of those charged to Schlitter who allowed six while failing to record an out.

The Cubs would claw back a bit in the eighth as Arismendy Alcantara led off with a single, followed by an Anthony Rizzo walk. Back-to-back single from Starlin Castro and Chris Coglan each scored a run, cutting the lead to 12-3, but that was as close as the Cubs would get.

The Cubs begin a weekend series with the St. Lois Cardinals tomorrow, as Travis Wood (7-9, 5.12) takes on Joe Kelly (2-1, 2.84). First pitch is slated for 3:05 pm CT at Wrigley Field.